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Ofsted chair stepping down with immediate effect

Ofsted chair David Hoare is stepping down from his position with immediate effect, the education watchdog has confirmed.

An Ofsted spokesperson told FE Week this morning that senior non-executive board member James Kempton has agreed to take on the role of chair on an interim basis — while the education secretary Justine Greening starts the process of appointing a permanent successor to Mr Hoare.

It comes less than a month after he provoked outrage by reportedly describing the Isle of Wight as a white ghetto where there has been inbreeding.

Mr Hoare said: “I have today informed the secretary of state that I will be resigning from my position as chair with immediate effect.

“It has been a great privilege to chair the Ofsted board for the past two years. I am pleased that the organisation now has an excellent board in place with expertise across all of our remit areas, including early years and FE.

“I am also pleased that Ofsted has recruited a strong new chief Inspector, Amanda Spielman, who is due to take over from Sir Michael [Wilshaw] in January.”

David Hoare (photo credit: Press Association)

Mr Hoare’s comments about the Isle of Wight were made during a Teach First conference at the end of July.

He is also understood to have upset senior colleagues with his outspoken comments on who should be Ofsted’s next chief inspector.

Mr Hoare reportedly said that he “did not want a teacher” to take on the role, as he was looking for someone who would understand “the issues”.